Muslim councillor from Junagadh set to dump Cong for BJP

Days after former state Congress spokesperson Asifa Khan crossed over to BJP, a Congress councillor from Junagadh, Shahnaz Qureshi, seems set to join the ruling party on November 1.

Speaking to The Indian Express over phone, Qureshi said Muslims were "not treated" well in Congress.

She said Congress won the Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC) four years ago with the support of Muslims. Seven Muslim councillors were elected on party tickets.

She said she had been demanding that one of the seven Muslim councillors be appointed as deputy mayor or chairman of the standing committee but the party always rejected it.

Though the term of the office of deputy mayor is for one year only, the party has been continuing Girish Kotecha in the post by renominating him after every term, she said. "What is the use of being in a party where you are not treated well?" Qureshi said.

State Congress president Arjun Modhwadia said he was not aware of the development.

JMC deputy mayor and Congress leader Girish Kotecha said Qureshi had been served a notice for anti-party activities.

Junagadh city BJP president Jitubhai Hirpara said he had discussions with Qureshi and several other Muslim councillors as well and they had expressed their willingness to join his party.

Besides Qureshi, another councillor, Abdul Razzaq Mahida, had also consented to join BJP, he said. "I have informed state party leaders on these developments. They will be inducted in the party once I receive a green signal from my bosses," he said.

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